110 MYTH AND SCIENCE. 



We find the same order and manner of thought in 

 .ZEschylus, although he remained faithful to the poly- 

 theistic creed, which indeed confirms the truth of 

 our theory. The moral law was gradually developed 

 and purified by this long succession of poets, and it 

 clearly appears from ^JEschylus and his successors 

 how man reaps that which he has sown : he whose 

 heart and hands are pure lives his life unmolested, 

 while guilt sooner or later brings its own punishment 

 with it. The Erynnyes rule the fates of men, and 

 may be said to sap the vital forces of the guilty ; they 

 cleave to them, excite and stimulate them to madness 

 until death comes. The ancient and mysterious 

 mythical tradition of the strife between the old gods 

 and the new was astutely used by .ZEschylus to teach 

 us how the terrible vengeance of the Eumenides 

 gradually gave place to a gentler and more humane 

 law; just as the primitive despotism of Zeus was 

 gradually transformed into a providential and moral 

 rule of the universe. 



Sophocles attained to a higher degree of perfection 

 in the paths of gentleness. No ancient poet has spoken 

 more nobly of the Deity, although his language is 

 altogether polytheistic. He shows the highest rever- 

 ence to the gods, whose power and laws rule all human 

 life. On them all things depend, both good and evil. 

 nor could any one violate with impunity the eternal 

 order of things. No act or thought escapes the gods ; 

 they are the source of wisdom and happiness. Man 



